Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper Jesus Owono has expressed that the Super Eagles remain a formidable team despite the absence of some key players from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Jose Peseiro’s side would be missing the services key players like Victor Boniface, Wilfried Ndidi and Umar Sadiq.
The trio were originally named in Peseiro’s final AFCON squad but had to drop out due to injury and have since been replaced by Terem Moffi, Alhassan Yusuf, and Paul Onuachu.
However, Owono still believes the Super Eagles remain a top-quality side despite the absence of some of their key players.
“It’s true that some of the Nigerian players are injured, but the players who have come in are also good,” Owono said during his interaction with the media on Saturday ahead of their game against the Super Eagles on Sunday.
Owono speaks of injury issues in the Equatorial Guinea team
The Deportivo Alaves custodian was quick to draw the attention of the footballing world to the fact that they (Equatorial Guinea) were having injury problems in their team and that isn’t only Nigeria facing that unfortunate fate.
“We also have our own injury problems too, so it’s not just Nigeria,” he quipped.
Owono expects tough AFCON 2023 game vs Super Eagles
The 22-year-old, however, anticipates a tough game with the three-time AFCON champions.
“Nigeria have good players in their team and playing against them is going to be a tough task for us,” he added.
As a key man in Juan Micha’s setup, Owono will have a busy afternoon in repelling Nigeria’s attack.
What Micha said about Owono
The Equatorial Guinea coach was effusive in his praise of the young goalkeeper’s abilities.
“He’s a modern goalkeeper. On the pitch, his charisma speaks for itself. I really admire his kicking game.”
The Nzalang Nacional, who will be making their fourth AFCON appearance in Ivory Coast, are unbeaten in their last 10 games.
They’ve won six and drawn four. In AFCON 2015, Nzalang Nacional were semi-finalists when they hosted the event.
They also advanced to the quarter-final of the previous edition, losing to eventual champions Senegal
